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Published: December 31st 2010
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Ahhhh, sidewalks and streetlights finally! What a relief from Vietnam. The last few days flew by. As I was fighting getting sick, I took it easy for the most part. I enjoyed my beautiful hotel and took advantage of the rooftop pool and room service (all reasonably priced). Upon arrival, I took a short walk for some lunch and decided it was time for a manicure/pedicure. I found the cutest place in a shopping center. I felt like I was back at home for a minute as Cyndi Lauper was playing in the background.
The next morning, I had a 6:30am pickup. The floating markets were recommended to me by numerous people, so I figured I should check them out. What I didn’t realize is how much traffic there is in Bangkok. We literally had 3 pickups after mine (I was the first). This took an hour! Then it was another hour to the markets. It wasn’t about shopping at all – it was about the experience. You literally start in speed boats to get you to the point where you get a floating boat. CLOSE your mouth as that nasty ass water comes at you. I constantly feel like
Charlotte from Sex in the City (the movie) – when she forgot where she was (in Mexico) and opened her mouth and swallowed… remember that outcome? Anyhow, I had a Charlotte moment (as I do regularly these days). The markets were neat – the best part about it was the floating food! Women were cooking food on their little boats! It was awesome to see. I grabbed some mango and sticky rice which was one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The markets were super colorful… however are you surprised to hear there was a ton of boat traffic? Anyhow, I arrived back at the hotel around 2pm, followed by some pool time, head massage, room service and some more sleep.
Next day was a phenomenal girl day! I started in the morning by going to the Jim Thompson house. If you don’t know who he is, he is an American who settled in Bangkok and mysteriously when missing in the 1960’s during some expedition. This was a neat stop with some good history. I then went to… a MALL! Yes, I experienced a mall in Bangkok. They are super similar to the malls
I grew up with. Their department store was super upscale with all the name brands that we all know. No bargaining at this place. I discovered that the Thai offer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the food court – well kinda. I was so excited to see it, that I ordered one. The guy attempted to butter on the bread and I asked him not to. Then he went to cut up the bread in little pieces so you eat it with a toothpick? Whoa – he got it right but thought I was nuts. Apparently the kids eat these as sweets – but most put some random colored slimy sugary substance over the toasted white bread. Random things you learn about!
The after noon was perfect! It was a well needed girly day. I met up with Julie (who is currently living and working in Bangkok). She is friends with Lisa, the girl I met in Amsterdam. Once I told Lisa where I was heading, she insisted I give Julie a shout. I am glad I did. We started by going to the weekend markets. Approximately 15,000 stalls!!! OYE – I didn’t buy a thing as it
was so overwhelming. We headed to a bar to meet up with some of Julie’s friends – turns out they are filming Hangover 2 on the same street. I wasn’t paying attention as I assumed it was just another crowded street. I look up to see Bradley Cooper standing there with a monkey on his head! So cool – really, I tried taking pictures as he was standing less than 10 feet from me until I got shooed off by the Thai security (you don’t want to mess with these little Thai men).
Following my Cooper moment of crushing hard, I started at the one clear picture I got – of his ass. Julie and I headed for some dinner to a Lebanese restaurant. This was delicious. She explained how there is an entire Muslim community in Bangkok. She also explained that wherever she goes or whomever she meets, there are always people from all over the world. She gave me the summary of Bangkok over dinner. What was obvious and in your face more than anything is prostitution. Most of the prostitutes are poor girls from small villages. They can make around 30,000 Baht a month, while their families back home can only earn around 5,000 Baht a month (around $150). All the locals know what these girls do in the big city, but don’t discuss it. Then there are the ladyboys! OYE. Some are so obvious it’s ridiculous, while others are so pretty you have to stare for some time before you can determine that he’s not female! Many of these men tell their customers beforehand so they don’t get beat up. Clearly enough international men are okay with this, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many ladyboys on the street! It’s simply disturbing that men come here and pay minimal dollars for multiple girls/boys who look so young.
Bangkok is a cool city. After dinner we went to a rooftop bar that was priced similar to NYC drinks (dinner was $8 for a feast – drinks at a fancy bar $10). While looking over one section, I could have been in NYC! Looking over another section, you see a 3rd world country. This is a HUGE city – probably the largest I have been in since the start of my travels. There are only 2 classes here – rich and poor. There doesn’t seem to be much in the middle. This is what keeps this city so interesting, as there are BMW’s and old school motorbikes. Seriously a sketchy but fascinating city!
After drinks, we headed to get foot massages. As Julie lives here, she knows a legit place. When we arrived there is a sign that says No Sex! Funny, but I guess it sometimes needs to be clarified. Usually if the girls have short skirts, there will be happy endings. If they are wearing pants – it will be a legit massage. They even gave me pant type shorts to put on as I was wearing a skirt. This was one of the BEST hour long foot massages I have ever had (for 250 Baht – $8ish). I was so happy and in need of a Julie day. I can’t thank her enough for showing me around! Who knew my quiet upscale business area that I picked for a hotel would be the closest to both Bradley Cooper and one of the two largest prostitution areas.
Contiki time once again. I leave my posh hotel to check into, a dump. The taxi ride is about 45 minutes (mainly due to traffic). Where we are staying is a WHOLE NEW world. This is the backpacking area of Bangkok (very central near the temples and such). I don’t think you can find a restaurant within a mile radius where you can sit inside in air conditioning. Both lunch and dinner places didn’t even have bathrooms… both meals cost less than $4. I didn’t go out drinking as I am worn out. I realize this is my last tour of my 4 months abroad. I want to enjoy every second of it and I don’t want tummy troubles or hangovers. It just isn’t worth it. I have my own room for the next 2 weeks so I can hide out and be a bum some of the time. Off to see some local sites in Bangkok before taking an overnight train to Northern Thailand…
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Justin Dupre
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http://thaiteenz.com/
Floating marketing looks great and beautiful. Wow the women were actually cooking on the boat? That's sweet!